Indomitable spirit dedicated to helping the disabled

May 13 2003

A dedicated giver: Hilarie Moore.

Hilarie Moore, AM, MBE, Community mainstay, 1906-2003

Hilarie Moore, who has died aged 96, turned her strong will and passionate concern for handicapped children into a lifetime association with The Northcott Society (formerly the NSW Society for Crippled Children). She spent 18 years on the board, was its first and only female president, and also served as president of its central council of auxiliaries.

Moore was a role model for many associated with Northcott and her ability to mix with governors and heads of state as easily as with the severely handicapped was unique and endearing. She led from the front and commanded respect and admiration from all.

Her term as president was not- able for two things. First, it was the beginning of the transition away from the schools, hospitals and sheltered workshops to non-institutionalised community support for the disabled. It was a time of great change, requiring a preparedness to move away from established ways of providing care and adopting new approaches.

Second, it was a time of celebration and coming out for the society. In her keynote address on its 50th anniversary in 1979, Moore acknowledged the efforts of those associated with the society and noted the greater community awareness of the needs of those with disabilities.

She was active in the broader disability field as director of the Australian Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, travelling locally and internationally as its representative and speaking on various aspects of care for the handicapped. ");document.write("

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Born in Summer Hill, Moore became well acquainted with the cause of disabled children when her father, Charles Moore, a president of the Rotary Club of Sydney, became involved in the the NSW Society for Crippled Children. This contact ignited an interest in championing a cause that was to become a lifelong commitment.

Moore was born into a mixed religion marriage and a family striving to make their way in commerce, with the accompanying aspirations of a good home in Killara and the best education for the children.

She received most of her schooling at Abbotsleigh Girls School, then comprising about 250 students. Despite it being a leading Church of England school, her mother insisted she be brought up as a Catholic and so she had to straddle the extremes of the great North Shore religious divide.

On finishing her education at a convent in Moss Vale, she discussed a career with her father, but like many of his day and with a son to take over the family business, he considered it inappropriate for his daughter to work. Life was taken up with family, home and daughterly duties, socialising, amateur dramatics, sport and recreation.

After war broke out in 1939, she joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment of Pymble, a local area group designed to support the medical units of the armed forces. Members were required to conform to the armed forces discipline, drill and saluting, and to wear uniforms. Moore worked at Neringah Red Cross Home at Wahroonga, mostly cooking for convalescing troops. She became the assistant commandant, before retiring at the end of the war in 1945.

In 1944, she joined the North Shore Women's Auxiliary of the NSW Society for Crippled Children. The auxiliary was one of a number of suburban groups raising money to assist polio victims. The move marked the beginning of a remarkable and enduring commitment to the disability sector, spanning almost 60 years, ending as recently as March 28, at a function in the Hilarie Moore Room at the society's offices in Parramatta.

Her contribution to running the auxiliaries was recognised when she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1974.

When she retired as president of the society in 1980, after 18 years as a director, Moore returned to her North Shore auxiliary and remained active in its work for the rest of her life.

She also enjoyed her times on the golf course and around the bridge table, but her real love in later life was bowls. Her first foray into the sport was at Ku-ring-gai and, after Killara Bowling Club decided to admit women members, she joined that club in 1979.

In characteristic style, she threw herself into club activities, served as president from 1985 to 1987 and was made its patron in 1992.

Throughout all these activities she was a generous giver. Growing up in difficult economic times was less of a burden for her than for most, and she was always ready to offer help when asked or when she saw a need. In her later years she maintained her strong and determined spirit, her sense of humour and her enduring interest in Northcott. She always made an effort to exude vitality and interest in topical events. She accepted the restrictions of diminishing physical capabilities without complaint and always kept her positive mental attitude.